This post contains affiliate links that can earn this website a small income. They will not cost you anything to use.
My two-week-long trip through Colombia was certainly memorable but started with some hiccups. My flight was delayed a number of times before being canceled and rebooked for the following day. So instead of staying at Habitel Select at the Bogota Airport, which I had arranged, I spent the night on Delta’s dime at the Marriott Atlanta Airport. But after that, we had great accommodation experiences!
Casa Zahri Boutique Hostel, Cartagena
After a long two days of travel, we arrived in the late afternoon from the airport to Casa Zahiri. The pink building overlooks the water and is a short walk from the rest of Gethsemani, home to some great restaurants and bars. We checked into our four-bed dorm room (as private wasn’t available), shared by a German couple.
The room itself was tight on space but had lockers, privacy curtains, and air conditioning. I had also brought my own travel fan to help me cool off. There was a bit of mold on the walls, which wasn’t ideal, but the room was comfortable enough.
We really booked it for the amenities, including free daily breakfast and a plunge pool we were thrilled to have after those sweltering walks around town. There’s also an upstairs lounge area with a balcony overlooking the street. The downstairs bar also has happy hour daily.
Los Patios Hostel, Medellin
There’s no shortage of great places to stay in Medellin, thanks in part to the big digital nomad scene. I’d read great reviews of Los Patios Hostel, which is spread across two tall buildings in town. I definitely wasn’t disappointed as we were presented with a schedule of free or cheap events going on during our stay, including a cooking class, pub crawl, and city tour.
Our room was small but had a tv and bathroom with a window that opened to the mountains. The hostel also has a full kitchen with daily coffee, a cafe with food and drink throughout the day, bag storage, and computers for guest use. We also took advantage of the rooftop pool next door. We also loved our Comuna 13 tour (stay tuned!), arranged by the hostel, and the airport taxi we were able to arrange for an early morning flight.
HAB Hotel, Bogota
Because I knew we’d be staying at a different hotel for the conference I was attending, Sammi chose another option in a different neighborhood. We absolutely loved HAB Hotel Bogota and I can’t say enough good things about it. It’s near the university and has many great restaurants. The building itself is old brick and feels like one you might find in London.
Our room was cozy and we had access to the water filling station. Upstairs, there was a beautiful patio we sat in, surrounded by plants. We also enjoyed a welcome shot of aguardiente and had delicious breakfasts daily. The staff was very welcoming and friendly as well.
Hilton Bogota Corferias, Bogota
The only place I knew I’d be staying in was the Hilton Bogota Corferias, the conference hotel. It was further out of town but has the amenities you’d expect from a big-name American hotel like multiple bars and restaurants and a balcony overlooking the skyline.
The rooms are pretty standard, with TVs and coffee makers. I got to enjoy the overwhelmingly big breakfast buffet as well as the heated indoor swimming pool and hot tub. There weren’t a ton of restaurants nearby, but there was a grocery store across the street where I picked up snacks and drinks.
Hotel Cuellars, Pasto
When I traveled to the southern Colombian city, I stayed at the Hotel Cuellars, a basic hotel with decor straight out of the 1980s. But the room was comfortable and spacious, with free snacks, and a hearty daily breakfast. We also got to tour the recently opened Hotel V1501, which is where I’d stay next time. It’s named for the nearby volcano.
NH Royal Urban 28 Hotel, Bogota
For our final night, my group of travelers and I arrived late at NH Royal 28 Hotel, not far from the Hilton, where we’d previously stayed. The room was nice enough and we had a good dinner at the hotel’s restaurant, but otherwise, there’s not much I can report from such a short stay.
Leave a Reply